Full Report
(always wanted to say that!) 2 SensePost Training sessions are over, and as i type The weekday sessions are at about 50%. Feedback so far has been pretty cool and its been fun to meet new people / bump into some old friends.. The next “biggie” on the horizon is Wednesdays talk.. We have had a fair bit of interest so far and even though the slot has some stiff competition its seems like all will be well :). The talk should be interesting to developers, pen-testers and even just people with a vague interest in see’ing cool stuff.. Marco has been adding functionality to “squeeza” like a demon and as it stands its probably the only SQL Injection tool i know that will allow (file downloads, arb sql queries, database mining) all purely in T-Sql over a variety of transport channels (dns, error messages, timing). We will post the link to it for download just before we talk..
Analysis Summary
# Tool/Technique: squeeza
## Overview
Squeeza is a tool developed by SensePost for performing SQL Injection attacks. It is specifically noted for its ability to execute advanced functionalities purely through T-SQL, utilizing various covert communication channels.
## Technical Details
- Type: Tool
- Platform: Database systems supporting T-SQL (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server)
- Capabilities: File downloads, arbitrary SQL queries, database mining, covert channel communication (DNS, error messages, timing).
- First Seen: Mentioned in an article dated July 30, 2007, suggesting development around that time.
## MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
The primary focus of this tool is exploitation and data exfiltration via SQL injection.
- **TA0001 - Initial Access**
- T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application
- *Implied, contingent on the injection vector.*
- **TA0009 - Collection**
- T1005 - Data from Local System (Database Mining)
- **TA0010 - Exfiltration**
- T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (If using DNS/Timing channels for data transfer)
## Functionality
### Core Capabilities
- **Arbitrary SQL Queries:** Execution of direct SQL commands against the target database.
- **Database Mining:** Capability to extract data from the target database structure and contents.
- **File Downloads:** Ability to retrieve files from the target system via SQL commands.
### Advanced Features
- **Pure T-SQL Execution:** All operations are performed using Transact-SQL commands.
- **Covert Channel Communication:** Data transfer and command-and-control (C2) communication performed covertly over:
- DNS queries/responses.
- Error messages.
- Timing analysis (Timing channel).
## Indicators of Compromise
*Note: As this is a description of an offensive tool, specific IOCs rely on the execution of its payload/commands, not the tool itself which was slated for future release.*
- File Hashes: N/A (Link to download was not provided in the context)
- File Names: N/A
- Registry Keys: N/A
- Network Indicators: Operations leveraging DNS traffic patterns, unexpected data in database error messages, or timing anomalies related to database latency used for exfiltration.
- Behavioral Indicators: Execution of T-SQL commands indicative of file system interaction (e.g., attempting to use `xp_dirtree` or `OPENROWSET`) in web application contexts, or unusual DNS queries originating from a server handling SQL traffic.
## Associated Threat Actors
- SensePost (Developers/Researchers)
- Likely used by penetration testers or threat actors targeting vulnerable MS SQL servers.
## Detection Methods
- **Signature-based detection:** Signatures targeting known command patterns within T-SQL payloads (e.g., specific functions used for SQLi tunneling).
- **Behavioral detection:** Monitoring database applications for inputs causing unusual DNS traffic or significant timing variations during query execution. Monitoring database server logs for outbound DNS requests originating from the database process.
- **YARA rules:** Not specified.
## Mitigation Strategies
- Input Validation/Sanitization: Strictly validate and sanitize all user-supplied input before it reaches the SQL query interpreter.
- Least Privilege: Ensure the database service account runs with the absolute minimum necessary permissions.
- Network Monitoring: Implement egress filtering and monitor DNS queries originating from database servers for anomalies, preventing data exfiltration over DNS tunnels.
- Patching: Ensure database software is up to date to prevent exploitation of underlying vulnerabilities allowing for advanced command execution.
## Related Tools/Techniques
- Traditional SQL Injection tools (e.g., sqlmap, specialized blind SQLi scripts).
- Tools that rely on covert channels for C2 (e.g., DNS tunneling tools).